Getting stuff shipped directly to our doorsteps is super convenient (and we can't deny the dopamine rush of the perfect online purchase arriving and fitting to perfection). But it can also be really damaging to the environment. In 2019, U.S. shipping imports were responsible for pumping 12.7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere—the equivalent of three coal-fired power plants (!!). And that plastic packaging? The majority ends up where it shouldn’t, like the ocean. 

So how do we balance the joys of online shopping with being kind to Mother Earth? Enter sustainable packaging. We're making sure to do our part in cutting down on plastic waste, and keeping our eco-footprint as small as possible. 

Why is sustainable packaging important?

Simply put, single-use plastic isn’t doing us any favors. Not only can it stick around for hundreds of years, it also accounts for almost half of the plastic waste that winds up in nature. Even though less than 10 percent of plastic waste gets recycled, production is expected to nearly double over the next 20 years…unless we do something about it (oh hey, brands, consumers, lawmakers...we're all in this together). 

What are some examples of sustainable packaging?

Eco-friendly packaging can mean a bunch of different things—and we’re into all of them. 

We've teamed up with the rad folks at LimeLoop to mail out our orders in reusable shippers—durable mailers with prepaid return labels that can be used again and again. All you have to do is choose the “Reusable Shipper” option at checkout, and voila: You’re a sustainability superstar.  

And that’s not all. We’re also testing out FSC-certified paper bags that can be easily recycled curbside. (As in, no more trying to track down a special recycling location for all that plastic.) Finding an alternative to polybags isn’t easy. But when you love something as much as we love the planet, you gotta do whatever it takes, right?

What else you got?

As you may have heard, we’re giving plastic the boot, eliminating it totally by 2026. And that doesn’t just mean the plastic bags used for our orders: We’re talking e-commerce shipping packages, product bags, and even wraps, hang tags, labels, and stickers. In other words, if it’s got plastic, we’re over it.  

We’re not doing this alone, and you don’t have to either. We’re part of the Responsible Packaging Movement; a coalition of eco-conscious brands and nonprofits who have teamed up to push the industry toward sustainability. Even better? Individuals can join, too. 

Sustainability is a journey, and making an effort can be tough. But if we keep it up together, the future will be brighter (and cleaner) for everyone.